Kara Kristin Stauffer Philbin

Areas of Concentration

•Commercial Litigation 

•Mass Tort and Environmental Litigation 

•Energy Litigation 

•Government Investigations and Anti-Corruption Compliance  

•Product Liability Litigation

Experience

Kara Philbin joined Fernelius Alvarez Simon PLLC in July 2011.  Previously, Kara was an associate in the litigation department at Fulbright & Jaworski LLP and also worked as in-house anti-corruption counsel for a major EPC company under a corporate monitor.

After graduating from law school with high honors, Kara collected varied litigation experience. She has substantial experience in all phases of litigation, including discovery, taking and defending fact witness and expert depositions, motion practice, settlement, trial and arbitration. Kara represents clients in both plaintiff and defense matters. She works with expert witnesses in a variety of fields. She is experienced with eDiscovery matters including the collection, processing and review of data.

Highlights of Kara's representative engagements include:

•Successful pursuit of contract and negligence claims on behalf of multi-national chemical company in connection with vendor services provided during turnaround.

•Defended a construction-services company in a wrongful death suit, achieving a quick settlement of associated indemnity obligations.

•Obtained injunctive relief on behalf of chemical company, effectively safeguarding key information and assets during pendency of civil action.

•Represented an oil and gas company in connection with a frack flow-back water dispute, resulting in favorable settlement.

•Successfully resolved arbitration relating to a physician-employment agreement.

•Secured favorable settlement for a large manufacturer of hand and power tools in a personal injury lawsuit.

•Achieved an advantageous result for an oilfield supplier in a business-disruption claim.

•Secured a summary judgment for a consolidated energy company in connection with benzene exposure. Reported Opinion: 605 F. 1142 (E.D. Wash. 2009).

•Successfully obtained denial of requested declaratory relief in a partnership dispute. 

•Represented an international oil and gas company in an indemnity suit related to lease obligations.

•Represented various energy companies in connection with investigations initiated by the DOJ and SEC.

•Successfully represented a national insurance company at trial in connection with a fraudulent personal injury lawsuit. 

•Represented a renowned circus in a lawsuit involving alleged violations of the Endangered Species Act.

Kara has experience defending against claims brought under Section 1983 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. She also has extensive experience with corporate responsibilities under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), as well as managing third party due diligence efforts. 

Professional Activities and Memberships

•State Bar of Texas

•Houston Bar Association 

•American Bar Association

•ABA Energy Litigation Website Subcommittee, member 

•Women’s Energy Network

•She has been a member of the John J. Eikenburg Law Week Fun Run Committee since 2006, serving as co-chair for the 25th anniversary race in 2010 and currently serving as the 2016 race co-chair.

Professional Honors

•Texas Rising Star (2016) 

Publications

•“TX Supreme Court: CO2 Removal is Postproduction Cost,” ABA Energy Litigation Journal (Summer 2014, Vol. 13 No. 4).

•“New Texas Anti-Indemnity Law May Affect More Than the Obvious,” ABA Energy Litigation Website (September 2012) 

•“Robinson Township v. Commonwealth,” (Pennsylvania’s Act 13), ABA  Energy Litigation Website (August 2012) 

•Co-author, “SEC Filing Requirements: Do You Risk Waiving a Privilege?” 2007, IADC Newsletter

Educational Background

2006 - Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, University of Houston Law Center

1996 - Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude, University of Houston 

While in law school, Kara was a member of the Order of the Barons and Order of the Coif. She served as the research editor for the Houston Law Review. She graduated 10th in her class and also won Best Brief and AmJur awards. Kara also interned for United States Magistrate Judge Frances H. Stacy. 

Kara was admitted to practice law in Texas in 2006 and is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of Texas.

Interests

Kara enjoys running, traveling, watching Houston sports teams and spending time with her family.